Using Land Capability Classifications

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1 Lesson C7 2 Using Land Capability Classifications Unit C. Plant and Soil Science Problem Area 7. Soil Erosion and Land Management Lesson 2. Using Land Capability Classifications New Mexico Content Standard: Pathway Strand: Plant Systems Standard: I: Apply principles of anatomy and physiology to produce and manage plants in both a domesticated and natural environment. Benchmark: I-B. Test appropriate materials or examine data to evaluate and manage soil/media nutrients. Performance Standard: 6. Determine land use capability. Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives: 1. Define land capability and ways to improve it. 2. Identify factors that determine land capability. 3. Explain the land capability classification system. Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 1.

2 List of Resources. The following resources may be useful in teaching this lesson: Recommended Resources. One of the following resources should be selected to accompany the lesson: Biondo, Ronald J. and Jasper S. Lee. Introduction to Plant & Soil Science and Technology, 2nd Edition. Danville, Illinois: Interstate Publishers, Inc (Chapter 8) Other Resources. The following resources will be useful to students and teachers: Brady, Nyle C. The Nature and Properties of Soils. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc (Chapter 15) Cooper, Elmer L. and L. DeVere Burton. Agriscience: Fundamentals & Applications. Albany, New York: Delmar (Chapter 9) Lee, Jasper S. and Diana L. Turner. Introduction to World AgriScience and Technology. Danville, Illinois: Interstate Publishers, Inc (Textbook and Activity Manual, Chapter 17) Parker, Rick. Introduction to Plant Science. Albany, New York: Delmar (Chapter 5) Plaster, Edward J. Soil Science & Management. Albany, New York: Delmar (Chapter 17) Porter, Lynn, et. al. Environmental Science and Technology. Danville, Illinois: Interstate Publishers, Inc (Chapter 13) List of Equipment, Tools, Supplies, and Facilities Writing surface Overhead projector Transparencies from attached masters Terms. The following terms are presented in this lesson (shown in bold italics): Arable land Capability factors Capability unit Erosion Internal drainage Irrigation Land capability Land capability subclasses Land forming Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 2.

3 Slope Soil depth Soil permeability Surface drainage Surface runoff Surface texture Interest Approach. Use an interest approach that will prepare the students for the lesson. Teachers often develop approaches for their unique class and student situations. A possible approach is included here. Just as animals can be classified as to what they produce, land can be classified as well. We know beef cattle are used to produce beef and dairy cattle are raised for dairy products. Land is classified so producers know the best production practices to use on the land for the highest profitability. Summary of Content and Teaching Strategies Objective 1: Define land capability and ways to improve it. Anticipated Problem: What is land capability and how can it be improved? I. Land capability is the suitability of land for agricultural uses. The uses should not cause any damage to the land. Arable land is land that can be used for row crops. These crops typically require some form of tillage to the soil. To improve arable land, the producer can utilize various cropping practices. Four common practices are: A. Irrigation Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil or a growing medium to assure adequate moisture for plant growth. It is often used on a supplemental basis in areas where seasonal shortages of water may reduce crop yields. B. Erosion control Excessive erosion may result in land that is no longer fertile. The long-term productivity of land can be assured by controlling soil erosion. C. Drainage Land sometimes needs surface or internal drainage. Surface drainage is removing water from the surface of the land. Ditches and terraces are most often used for this purpose. Internal drainage is the removal of water within the soil profile. This may be improved with drain tiles or tubes installed below the normal plowing depth of the soil. D. Forming Land forming is the smoothing or reshaping of the land to enhance the use of the land. Small dips are filled and high places are taken down. Typically, land forming involves using laser-guided equipment to assure a good surface. This practice is routinely done in the production of rice. Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 3.

4 There are many techniques that can be used to assist students in mastering this material. Students need text material to aid in understanding land capability and how it can be improved. Chapter 8 in Introduction to Plant & Soil Science and Technology is recommended. Use TM: C7 2A to aid in the discussion. Objective 2: Identify factors that determine land capability. Anticipated Problem: What factors determine land capability? II. Capability factors are the characteristics of land that determine its best crop use. These factors include both surface and subsurface characteristics. Some common factors are: A. Surface texture Surface texture is the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil to plow depth, which is typically 7 inches. Soil can be classified as either sandy, loamy, or clay-like. B. Internal drainage Internal drainage is known as permeability. Soil permeability is the movement of air and water through the soil. It is determined by the texture and structure of the soil. It can be classified as very slow, slow, moderate, and rapid. C. Soil depth Soil depth is the thickness of the soil layers that are important in crop production. Soil depth classifications are very shallow, shallow, moderately deep, or deep. D. Erosion Erosion is the loss of topsoil by water, wind or other forces. Much of the fertility of land is in the topsoil. Four categories of erosion are used: very severe erosion, severe erosion, moderate erosion, and none to slight erosion. E. Slope Slope is the rise and fall in the elevation of land. It is commonly measured in percent or the number of feet of rise and fall in 100 feet. Six classes of land slope are commonly used: very steep, steep, strongly sloping, moderately sloping, gently sloping, and nearly level. The slope of the land plays a major role in the level of erosion on the soil. F. Surface runoff Surface runoff is the water from rain, snow, or other precipitation that does not soak into the ground. The amount of runoff depends on the soil texture and slope of the land. The categories of surface runoff are: very slow, slow, moderate, and rapid. There are many techniques that can be used to assist students in mastering this material. Students need text material to aid in understanding the factors that determine land capability. Chapter 8 in Introduction to Plant & Soil Science and Technology is recommended. Use TM:C7 2B thru TM:C7 2E to aid in the discussion on this topic. Objective 3: Explain the land capability classification system. Anticipated Problem: What is the system used to classify land capability? III. The system of land capability classification involves land classes, subclasses, and capability units. A. Land capability classes are based on the capability factors of the land. The Roman numerals I thru VIII are used. The land capability classes are: Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 4.

5 1. Class I: Very good land Class I land has no limitations. It is nearly level and has deep soil, good internal drainage, and good surface drainage. This land can be cropped every year without special practices to control erosion. 2. Class II: Good land This land has deep soil with a few limitations. The soil requires moderate attention to conservation practices. Contour plowing and other easy to use practices are often used. 3. Class III: Moderately good land This land has more limitations than Class II. Crops must be more carefully selected. This land is often found on gently sloping hills. Increased attention must be given to conservation practices, such as terraces and strip cropping. This land can be productive with proper management by the producer. 4. Class IV: Fairly good land This class of land is the lowest that should be cultivated. It has very severe limitations that restrict the choices of crops and require special conservation management practices. This land is on hills and has more slope than land found in Class III. The land is frequently subject to erosion, especially gullies. 5. Class V: Unsuited for cultivation Class V land can be used for pasture crops, cattle grazing, hay crops, and tree farming. The land is often used for wildlife and recreation areas. The soil typically has good tilth and fertility, but is restricted in use by rock outcrops or frequent overflow from nearby waterways. The land is often gently sloping or nearly level. 6. Class VI: Not suited for row crops This land class has too much slope for growing row crops. The soil may have fair productivity if it has not been damaged by erosion. Gullies often quickly form if not carefully managed. 7. Class VII: Highly unsuited for cultivation Class VII land has severe limitations. This class should not be cultivated. Best uses are permanent pasture, forestry, and wildlife. Slope is often well over 12 percent. The soil is very shallow. Large rock surfaces may be present. This land is often found in dry areas. 8. Class VIII: Unsuited for plant production This land cannot be used for row crops or other crops where the land is tilled. It is often lowland covered with water most or all of the time. The soil may be wet and high in sand or clay. This class of land is often used for waterfowl habitat. B. All classes except Class I have one or more limitations. Land capability subclasses indicate factors that limit soil use by means of a single letter code added to the class number. The letter codes are: 1. e Runoff and erosion. Land with slope greater than 2 percent are those that need some form of water control. 2. w Wetness. These soils may be poorly drained or occasionally flooded. Some such soils may be drained; others are classed as wetlands and are best left as is. 3. s Root zone or tillage problems. These soils are shallow, stony, droughty, infertile, or saline. Wind and water erosion may be problems. 4. c Climatic hazard. Areas of rainfall or temperature extremes make farming difficult. Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 5.

6 C. The soils in one capability unit are enough alike to be suited to the same crops and pasture plants, and require similar management. A capability unit is a soil group within a subclass. They have similar productivity capabilities and other responses to management practices. Capability units are generally designated by adding Arabic numbers 0 to 9 to the subclass symbol. Thus, in one symbol, the Roman numeral designates the capability class or degree of limitation; the small letter indicates the subclass or kind of limitation; and the Arabic numeral specifically identifies the capability unit with each subclass. There are many techniques that can be used to assist students in mastering this material. Students need text material to aid in understanding the system used to classify land capability. Chapter 8 in Introduction to Plant & Soil Science and Technology is recommended. Review/Summary. Use the student learning objectives to summarize the lesson. Have students explain the content associated with each objective. Student responses can be used in determining which objectives need to be reviewed or taught from a different angle. Questions at end of chapters in the textbook may also be used in the review/summary. Application. Complete pages in the Activity Manual for Introduction to Plant & Soil Science and Technology. Evaluation. Focus the evaluation of student achievement on mastery of the objectives stated in the lesson. Measure student performance on classroom participation, laboratory assignments, and written tests or quizzes. Answers to Sample Test: Part One: Matching 1=g,2=e,3=b,4=c,5=d,6=f,7=h,8=a Part Two: Completion 1. capability class; subclass; capability unit 2. I 3. texture Part Three: Short Answer e Runoff and erosion w Wetness s Root zone or tillage problems c Climatic hazard Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 6.

7 Sample Test Name Test Lesson C7 2: Using Land Capability Classifications Part One: Matching Instructions. Match the term with the correct response. Write the letter of the term by the definition. a. Arable land b. Internal drainage c. Slope d. Capability factors e. Soil permeability f. Surface texture g. Capability unit h. Land capability 1. A soil group within a subclass. 2. The movement of air and water through the soil. 3. The removal of water within the soil profile. 4. The rise and fall in the elevation of land. 5. The characteristics of land that determine its best crop use. 6. The proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil to plow depth. 7. The suitability of land for agricultural uses. 8. Land that can be used for row crops. Part Two: Completion Instructions. Provide the word or words to complete the following statements. 1. In the land capability classification system, the Roman numeral designates the or degree of limitation; the small letter indicates the or kind of limitation; and the Arabic numeral specifically identifies the with each subclass. 2. Class land has no limitations. 3. The amount of runoff depends on the soil and slope of the land. Part Three: Short Answer Instructions. Provide information to answer the following question. List the subclasses used in the land capability classification system and give their definitions. Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 7.

8 TM: C7 2A WAYS TO IMPROVE ARABLE LAND Irrigation Erosion Control Drainage Land Forming Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 8.

9 TM: C7 2B CLASS CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS SOILS Characteristics Sand Silt Clay Looseness Good Fair Poor Air Space Good Fair to Good Poor Drainage Good Fair to Good Poor Tendency to Form Clods Poor Fair Good Ease of Working Good Fair to Good Poor Moisture Holding Ability Poor Fair to Good Good Fertility Poor Fair to Good Fair to Good Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 9.

10 TM: C7 2C THE SOIL TEXTURAL TRIANGLE Example: A soil with 35% clay, 30% silt, and 35% sand is a clay loam % silt Clay 40 35% clay 30 PERCENT CLAY Sandy Clay Sandy Clay Loam * Clay Loam Silty Clay 50 PERCENT SILT 60 Silty Clay Loam Loamy Sand Sandy Loam Loam Silt Loam Sand Silt PERCENT SAND 35% sand Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 10.

11 TM: C7 2D SOIL TEXTURAL CLASSES Sand Loamy Sand Sandy Loam Loam Silt Loam Clay Loam Silty Clay Loam Sandy Clay Loam Clay Dry Loose and single grained; feels gritty. Moist Will form very easily crumbled ball. Sand: %, Silt: 0 15%, Clay 0 10% Dry Silt and clay may mask sand; feels loose, gritty. Moist Feels gritty; forms easily crumbled ball; stains fingers slightly. Sand: 70 90%, Silt: 0 30%, Clay: 0 15% Dry Clods easily broken; sand can be seen and felt. Moist Moderately gritty; forms ball that can stand careful handling; definitely stains fingers. Sand: 43 85%, Silt: 0 50%, Clay: 0 20% Dry Clods moderately difficult to break; somewhat gritty. Moist Neither very gritty nor very smooth; forms a ball; stains fingers. Sand: 23 52%, Silt: 28 50%, Clay: 7 27% Dry Clods difficult to break; when pulverized feels smooth, soft and floury, shows fingerprints. Moist Has smooth or slick buttery feel; stains fingers. Sand: 0 50%, Silt: 50 88%, Clay: 0 27% Dry Clods very difficult to break with fingers. Moist Has slight gritty feel; stains fingers; ribbons fairly well. Sand: 20 45%, Silt: 40 73%, Clay: 27 40% Same as above, but very smooth. Sand: 0 20%, Silt: 40 73%, Clay: 27 40% Same as for Clay Loam. Sand: 45 80%, Silt: 0 28%, Clay: 20 35% Dry Clods cannot be broken with fingers without extreme pressure. Moist Quite plastic and usually sticky when wet; stains fingers. (A silty clay feels smooth, a sandy clay feels gritty.) Sand: 0 45%, Silt: 0 40%, Clay: % Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 11.

12 TM: C7 2E PERMEABLE SOIL ALLOWS WATER TO INFILTRATE AND PERCOLATE Soil with high organic matter content and good structure permits water absorption. Hard-packed surface soil plus impermeable subsoil prevents absorption. Rock layer prevents water from soaking deeply into soil. Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 12.

13 TM: C7 2F LAND CAPABILITIES Unit C. Problem Area 7. Lesson 2. Page 13.

Land Capability Classifications

Land Capability Classifications Unit: Soil Science Problem Area: Basic Principles of Soil Science Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following